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GuideLines - The Reel-Time way to have your fishing questions answered by the experts.  As you can see from past issues, FishWire correspondents and GuideLines editors Bob and Sandy Rodgers will pick questions from Reel-Time readers and post the answers every two weeks.  Answers will be gathered from full-time guides, whose livelihood depends on their expertise.  While not intended to solve the riddle of what specific fishing spots to try on a future outing, you will gain the benefit of years of knowledge from professionals in the saltwater fly fishing field.  This can help you overcome obstacles encountered on such subjects as Boats and how to rig them, Tackle, Flies, or Terminal gear.  So come on, send us your questions.

December 3rd, 1999

This edition of GuideLines covers such issues as:

1. what fly tackle to take to Diego Garcia,
2. finding a fly fishing guide on Grand Cayman,
3. what species to expect around 10,000 Islands, and
4. how to catch "dourado" on fly.

Question: FLY FISHING DIEGO GARCIA
"Hi, I am in the military and am looking at possibly being stationed on a small remote atoll in the South Pacific called Diego Garcia. It has a large lagoon that is supposed to be world class fishing, along with the open side of the beaches the same. I have never fly fished saltwater, I much prefer a 3-weight on a small river, but I need to learn as I will be there a year. I'm thinking about a 9-weight with an anti-reverse type reel, I hear getting your knuckles busted by a wahoo or bonefish is no fun. I feel I am fairly confident on the hardware, but I really don't understand the line issue - shooting heads, etc. What would be a good setup, and what books are good on fly fishing techniques and saltwater fly patterns? Thanks for any help you can give me." David A.

Answer:  Capt. Bob Rodgers replied: "Hi David, If I remember correctly, and it was a long time ago, I believe there was a Marine Corps base at Diego Garcia. Am I right? I agree with your choice of a 9-weight rod, if you are only taking one. You may be a bit over-gunned at times, and under-gunned at others, but it's a good average. Although a lot of people use anti-reverse reels and like them a lot, I personally prefer direct drive. With hard-running fish you'll have to leave the drag on either reel light enough to protect your tippet. This means that with an anti-reverse reel you'll have drag slippage as you try to recover line. It's not a big problem and you'll soon get used to pumping up and winding down, but it is something that you should be aware of. As far as a direct drive reel busting your knuckles, most people only let that happen once. I think you would be well served by three fly lines, all full length. A floating bonefish or saltwater taper, an intermediate saltwater taper, and a full sinker. If you are going to buy one book on fly fishing techniques and saltwater fly patterns, I'd get a copy of Lefty Kreh's Fly Fishing in Salt Water (the Third Revised Edition came out in 1997). It's very thorough and should answer most of your questions. Also, please keep in mind that we'll be here to answer any future questions as they come up from your new duty station. David, thank you for your service to our country."

Question: GRAND CAYMAN
"I'm interested in any information about finding a fly fishing guide on Grand Cayman. Thanks," Rob J.

Answer:  Bayside Watersports (bayside@candw.ky) on Grand Cayman, sent this response: "Hello from Bayside - We offer fly fishing in Grand Cayman and there are two options for this. The first is that you may go with a guide who will pick you up and drive you to various areas where you will be wading. The other option is we have a guide who takes you by boat to various locations in the North Sound. The cost is 300.00 in US dollars for a half-day trip for either. Thank you for your mail and if we may be of further assistance we would be happy to help."

Question: 10,000 ISLANDS
"My wife and I are going to be in the area of Marco Island and the 10,000 Islands over the turn of the century. We both like to spin cast and fly fish. What species of our finny little friends can we expect/hope to run into down there during our stay? And what types of flies/lures would you suggest for the best action? We will be mobile so any locations that you could also suggest would be great. Thank you for your time." Michael L.

Answer:  Mark Ward (mail@evergladesangler.com), owner of Everglades Angler in Naples, Florida, replied: "The preferred species in the Marco Island, SW Florida area are snook, redfish and tarpon, although it will be unlikely that there will be any tarpon around at that time of year. When spin fishing it is very easy to get into other species such as trout, snapper, jacks, ladyfish, mackerel, etc. As for baits, when using flies, Deceivers and Clousers are good, and any flies with good action, such as flies with a Zonker strip for a tail. When spin fishing, jigs work great and cover a lot of territory. Also, live bait such as shiners or shrimp work good. Live shiners may be tough to get in December, though. Our guides fish south of Naples and Marco Island in the 10,000 Islands and Everglades National Park, Estero Bay just south of Ft. Myers Beach, as well as Pine Island Sound near Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Everglades National Park is the second biggest national park in the U.S. and is a remote wilderness consisting of extensive mangrove jungles along with miles of sawgrass and natural hardwood hammocks. Estero Bay and Pine Island Sound are healthy estuaries with extensive grass flats, shorelines and passes."

Question:  DOURADO ON THE FLY
"First, sorry, as my English is very bad! I live in Brazil and love fishing with fly rod or bait casting. In Brazil we have a Dourado fish, we call it our "Tiger of Rivers", and my dream is to take this boy with fly fishing gear. I need your help with techniques because this fish is a bad boy. Thanks," Lincoln I.

Editor's Note: Dorado (or as they often spell it in Brazil, dourado) are large migratory fish (up to 75 pounds) that range from the estuaries of tropical South American rivers all the way upstream to the tributaries. These are not to be confused with the dolphin-fish which are known as dorado throughout Mexico and Central America. Although not truly a saltwater species, smaller dourado are reportedly caught in such places as downtown Buenos Aires, Argentina's chief seaport, situated at the southwest end of the Rio de la Plata, where the mouth of the Paraná and Uruguay Rivers meet the south Atlantic.

Answer:  Pedro Paulo Tomatis (tomatis@dmae.prefpoa.com.br), a member of Brazil's Associacao Rio Grandense de Pesca com Iscas Articiais, replied: "We are very happy to answer the question about fishing for Dourado with fly tackle. I believe that in ARPIA we have a good deal of experience in this technique. The article I am sending below is written by Luis Fernando Kessler ("Tinho"), who is an expert in catching such fish. You may also want to visit our website at www.arpia.com.br to see more about our association. For the last six years we have been catching peacock bass in the Amazon region, and our other fisheries involve black bass, rainbow trout, traira, snook, and other local fishes. [If you have] any further questions you may contact us at arpia@portoweb.com.br." This is the article Pedro Paulo Tomatis sent: "'Dourado on the Fly'. The best fishing for Dourado (salminus maxillosus) is in runs off the edges of sand banks, and rocky structures where the river channel deepens. Darker waters require big, black, dark green, or red streamers. For clearer waters you can add gold and silver flashes and fluorescent colors. The equipment is, at least, an 8-weight fast rod, 9-foot or longer, sinking lines type II to IV. In eventual shallower conditions, a sink tip may work well. [You need] a short leader (4 to 6 feet) with enough butt to turn the big flies, rigged with a wire bite tippet to deal with this fish's sharp teeth. [Your reel should hold] at least 100 yards of backing to avoid a big one getting itself in the current and running away for good. Be prepared to deal with big water if you are planning on fishing in the tributaries of the Paraná River basin. Big water, big flies, and windy conditions; on any given day you may cast from the boat or [be] lucky enough find a nice shallow place to wade and nail a tiger "mano a mano". The big (4 inch) streamers should be tied in strong, very, very sharp saltwater streamer hooks. My preferred flies are the Lefty's Deceiver, Cockroach (with colors above described), and big rabbit fur (black is best) winged streamers with a Muddler or a wool head. To any streamer the key is length, good profile, and movement to mimic the baitfishes and the eels that the Dourado delights in. The most popular fishing technique is to cast across the current, straighten the line, and give some jerks while the line sinks and drifts down current. After the line straightens out, strip it quickly. A furious attack can happen any time, be ready… A strong line strike with the rod low is required to pierce the fish's strong mouth and to avoid material damage. Raise your rod and see how they run…" By Luiz Fernando Kessler.

Thanks, readers, for the never-ending supply of interesting subjects to pursue, and special thanks to you guides for the informative answers you've been providing. For those considering sending in a question, please try to remember to allow plenty of time for us to get an answer to you, particularly if you will need the information for planning any future travels; some topics take considerable digging before we finally turn up a lead.  Keep'em coming!

Bob and Sandy Rodgers

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